This cultivar 'Monarch' has an upright habit with a good upright central leader. Therefore it is better suited as a tree, which distinguishes it from the species. Young twigs are green but turn to brown red quickly. Mature trunks too, are red brown to grey. The green leaf turns yellow to orange red in autumn. The flowers are not showy. However, each head with flowers is surrounded by 6 (sometimes 4 or 8) ovoid, pointed bracts. These turn from cream white to entirely white, sometimes with a pink hue and can become 10 cm. This makes the plant in full bloom very decorative. 'Monarch' flowers profusely. The circa 1 cm large, orange-red fruits appear in early autumn. The plant roots shallowly with a fibrous root system. Must be protected against cold east wind.